Dave remembered his first conversation with Phil Strange and the fortune-teller's insistence that some powerful person was behind José Sanchez. More than three weeks ago Strange had forecast something very like murder of Ed Austin. Dave felt as if he were the victim of an hysterical imagination. Nevertheless, he forced himself to ask, quietly:
"Is José Sanchez anywhere about?"
The range boss shrugged. "I sent him to the east pasture this morning."
"Did he go?"
"Eh? So! You suspect José of this. God in heaven! José is a wild boy—But wait! I'll ask Juan if he saw him; yes, and Victoria, too. That is Victoria you hear squalling in the kitchen. Wait here."
Benito hurried away, leaving Dave a prey to perplexity; but he was back again in a few moments. His face was grave.
"José did not go to the east pasture," he said.
"Where is he now?"
"No one seems to know."
Law walked to his horse, mounted, and galloped away. Benito, who watched him, saw that he turned toward the river road which led to the Las Palmas pumping-plant.